What to say and do when you are invited for pizza or manicotti?

(Hillary Anderson) #1

Hey there: Recently I have been invited to friends’ for dinner and they are serving homemade pizza (with wheat of course) and an invitation today for salad and manicotti. Don’t wanna be rude or unappreciative. Better to take my own food? No desire to try to convert or proselytize about going grain-free unless invited to discuss. I’d really appreciate input.

#2

I don’t think it is rude to tell someone your unable to eat certain foods due to a medical diet.

(jketoscribe) #3

“I’d love to come and visit with everyone, but pizza and manicotti are things I’m not able to eat. May I bring a main dish I can eat to share with everyone?”

(Siobhan) #4

Yeah, people around me know I dont eat carbs, so I will just eat the toppings off the pizza, or just the salad and not the pasta.
If you would rather they dont know specifics just say you cant eat x due to medical reasons but would love to come and have a coffee/salad instead (something you know will be available).

That way it isnt a flat refusal and youre showing that youre flexible and not picky or demanding.

(Cathrine Helle) #5

I still struggle with this too. I feel rude if I don’t eat what is served, even though I know that grains will leave me in agony for 12-24 hours after ingested. So will too much (or sometimes a little bit) of onion or garlic too. Luckily IBS is more recognised as a reason to avoid certain foods now, so people are generally more understanding. Earlier it was easier for me to say that I was trying to loose weight, even though that was just part of the reason. I would offer to bring some food to share or for myself, and otherwise just make the best of it :slight_smile:

(I am a Dog (Dog's eat until they burst!)) #6

I have become very good at telling people that wheat does not agree with me so I avoid to to not have issues! I try to appear like it may be bowel issues from my body language and most people don’t bother to ask (TMI).

If they do ask I explain that I found that wheat and grains gave me diabetes and giving them up for good is helping me to manage without medications.

You may offer, or just bring, a fat head pizza: maybe just the ingredients so you can enjoy pizza as well!

(Randy) #7

We have to learn to put our own health above other peoples feelings. Plain and simple.

If someone is offended that I CAN’T eat the food they’ve made because it makes me sick and obese, that’s their problem.

(Hillary Anderson) #8

Thanks! this is very helpful and I can see me saying this.

(Hillary Anderson) #9

Hi Catherine: I am determined to do this and I am just not willing to go through the wheat and grain withdrawal that comes with eating those foods to avoid hurting feelings. i really liked janknitz response. I want to be gracious but hold firm. I believe what I have read about the gliadin protein-derived opiate properties of wheat because if I let myself have even a little it starts the whole craving cycle going.

(Ben) #10

If it’s homemade pizza time, could you offer to take some Fathead/Carlshead dough?

(Tracey Torr) #11

Either suggest you take your own base, or you can pile the toppings on a plate with cheese and put in the oven. I’ve done that before and just had a bowl/plate or toppings - it was yummo.

(Evie Paratore) #12

These are great suggestions. Also you could offer to bring the meatballs/sauce. My family actually prefers meatballs with Parmesan/ pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs at this point.